Made from the Dust of the Earth

This is another excerpt from my weekly devotions:
In my previous reflection I talked a lot about how we are made in God’s image. Now, some may ask, “If we were each made in God’s image, then how did we become so messed up?” A sensible question, certainly. If God is perfect, would not those made in His Image also be perfect? Let me answer that by pointing back top the first passage I read today (Genesis 2:7). Notice it is from the second chapter of Genesis. The first passage I quoted last week was from the first chapter. This chapter adds something that the first chapter left out. It says we were made from the “dust of the earth.” God made each of us in His Image out of the lowest material on earth: dust. Does this strike anyone else as a bit odd? We were made to be the highest of all creation, yet we were made from the most filthy stuff imaginable. How does that work? I think we get an idea from the second passage I read (2Cor. 12:7). According to Paul, God’s power is made most manifest in our weakness. He shines the most when we are at our least.
And if you look all through scripture, you can see a similar theme: From God choosing Israel, the smallest of all nations, to be His Promised People, to God choosing David, a little shepherd boy, to topple Goliath and become Israel’s king. Even Jesus death on the cross was evidence of this. To die on the cross was the most shameful of all deaths, yet through His death, Christ won for us the victory over sin. It appears God likes rooting for the little guy. He enjoys cheering on the underdog. I don’t know about you, but I find that pretty encouraging when I think about the mess my life has been at times. The truth of the matter is when we are at our utter lowest is the time we finally realize how really messed up we are and how much we need God. We grow to depend on Him more and more and that’s what the Christian life is all about.
So, hear this and be heartened on. God loves cleaning up and working with you through your mess-ups. It doesn’t matter to Him that this is the first or the tenth time you’ve been through rehab. It doesn’t matter to Him whether you’re on your deathbed or adjusting to life with part of you now missing. Whatever your ailment, whatever your disease, come to God and know you are loved and accepted. Truly there is nothing that can separate you from the love of God. Absolutely nothing!! God loves you and longs for you to know and love Him. Won’t you come this day? Really, what is stopping you?